Vacation Packing Checklist

Aside from helping you find the best accommodation – vacation home rentals, we are now going to help you with another critical component of traveling, packing. When we pack, we always consider the functionality of the things we’re going to bring. This list is intended to avoid moments where you’re already in the car, on the way to the airport, or boarding a plane, and you suddenly realize you forgot something. Since packing can be stressful, we’ve put together this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you may need. There are things you could most likely forgo depending on the destination of your trip.

Documents

Keep all your travel documents together and organized. Make sure you have copies. That includes soft copies you can access from your phone, tablet, etc.

Passport and visa(s) (and extra passport photos)
IDs/driver’s license/student ID
Transportation tickets (plane, bus, boat)
Travel insurance Information
Vaccination certificates
Health insurance cards/documents
Reservations/itineraries
Emergency contacts and important addresses
Prescriptions (including copies of scripts)

It is a good idea to have all your important documents, IDs, and information together in a travel organizer. Make copies of all these things and place them in your carry-on bag, or luggage – just so you have extras in case you lose a bag, your organizer, or your wallet.

Money

Have your local currency and foreign currency (of your destination) strategically placed in your bags, wallet, money belt, etc.

Debit/credit card
Cash and wallet
Emergency cash
Foreign currency
Money belt/neck wallet
Prepaid currency card

Just to be sure and safe as well: inform your bank before traveling to avoid having your credit card frozen during your trip. Also consider having soft copies or emailing yourself copies of your passport, IDs, driver’s license, health cards, itineraries, tickets, and bookings so you can also access them online in an emergency.

Clothing

No matter what kind of packing hack you follow, it will surely help save space in your bag or luggage. Bring clothes that you can mix/match with other pieces.

Underwear/bras/delicates
Shirts (casual and dress shirts)
Jeans/pants
Shorts/skirts
Dresses
Sweater/long sleeve shirt
Swimsuits & cover-ups
Coats/jackets/raincoats
Sleepwear/pajamas
Socks/stockings
Gloves/scarves

Clothes are basic. You can roll your clothes, as well as use packing cubes. You’ll definitely be surprised on how much space you can save!

Shoes & Accessories

Bring shoes and accessories appropriate to your destination and its weather.

Dress/smart shoes
Sandals/flip-flops
Snow/rain boots
Hiking/athletic shoes
Comfortable walking shoes
Glasses/sunglasses/case
Watch, belt, scarf, gloves
Sun hat/sun visor/beanie hat,
Jewelry (which you can pack in a pill organizer)

Footwear can be considered as a basic and an accessory. Even if you want to have options, you should still pack smart. Bring ones that go with the clothes you packed.

Toiletries

Transfer shampoo, conditioner, etc. into smaller clear bottles. If you need to bring makeup, those store samples will come handy!

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
Hairbrush/comb, hair ties, bobby pins
Shampoo & conditioner, soap/feminine wash
Shaving kit/make-up
Deodorant
Sunscreen/lotion with SPF/moisturizer
Petroleum jelly – you can use this for a lot of things: lip balm, blisters, etc.
Other personal hygiene items
Glasses/prescription glasses/contacts/solution/case
Hair styling appliances
Wipes (for removing make-up, etc)/Q-tips
Nail clipper/nail file

When packing toiletries, make it light and TSA-compliant. If possible, place them in clear containers and clear bag.

Medication

“Better safe than sorry”

First aid kit (bandages, gauze, etc.)
Pain and fever relievers/thermometer
Cold medicines/throat lozenges
Diarrhea/laxative medicines
Allergy medicines
Motion/altitude sickness pills
Multivitamins
Sunburn relief
Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever
Eye drops
Other medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity

Before traveling, check any travel advisories about your destination. Get informed and prepare your body. Get necessary travel vaccines, medicines, and advice.

Travel Comfort & Gadgets

If you decide to bring a specific gadget, make sure to have its charger as well. You wouldn’t want to be carrying your phone or tablet without any battery power, right?

Mobile device & charger
Laptop/tablet/e-reader & their chargers
Headphones or earphones (if you’re sensitive to sound, bring noise-reducing ones)
Camera, memory card, and chargers
Extension, converters, and adapters
Travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and ear plugs.
Books/magazines/travel games
Journal/notebook and pen
lip balm, lotion, and a water bottle (once you’re through TSA, you can fill it up)
Food, energy bars, snacks, gum

These things should be in your carry-on bag whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, family, or with kids.

Other

These things are certainly useful, especially in emergency cases.

Emergency kit (which could include a basic sewing kit to mend your clothes)
Pocket knife/multi-tool
Compass & map
Duct tape
Flashlight/matches (even a small one will do)

Bookmark this vacation packing checklist to refer to on what to pack, and make sure you’ve thought of everything else you might want to bring. We hope you find this checklist helpful whether it’s just for a weekend getaway or a long-term vacation. Have a fun trip!

Is there something you always forget to pack? Do you have anything to add to our list? Let us know!